Unleashing Readers

Blog Tour with Review and Educators’ Guide: Conjure Island by Eden Royce

June 27, 2023 by Kellee

Conjure Island
Author: Eden Royce
Published June 27th, 2023 by Walden Pond Press

Summary: If you ask Delphinia Baker, she’d tell you she has all the family she needs. Sure, her mom passed away when she was young, her dad is often away on deployment, and she’s had to move so much that she’s never had close friends. But even though Del has never had anyone she can call her people, she has always had her grandmother—and for Del and Gramma, best friends since forever, that’s enough. Besides, having no roots just makes it that much easier when you have to move again.

All of that changes, though, when Gramma falls ill and Del is sent to stay with her great-grandmother. Del has never even heard of Nana Rose, and she has no interest in spending the summer with a stranger on an unbearably hot island off the South Carolina coast. And when Nana Rose starts talking about the school she runs dedicated to their family’s traditions—something called “conjure magic”—Del knows she’s in for a weird, awkward summer.

That is, until the magic turns out to be real.

Soon, Del is surrounded by teachers who call themselves witches, kids with strange abilities, creatures and ghosts who can speak to her. She has a hundred questions, but one more than any other: Why didn’t Gramma ever tell her about her family, the island, this magic? As Del sets out to find answers and to find her place in a world she never knew existed, she also discovers a shadowy presence on the island—and comes to believe that it all might be connected.

Eden Royce, the acclaimed author of Root Magic, returns to the folklore of Gullah Geechee culture to weave an enchanting tale of magic, mystery, and belonging.

About the Author: Eden Royce is a writer from Charleston, SC, now living in the Garden of England. She is a Shirley Jackson Award finalist for her short fiction for adults. Her debut novel, Root Magic, was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner, and a Nebula Award Finalist for outstanding children’s literature. Find her online at edenroyce.com.

Review: I just loved this book. Everything about it: the characters, the academy, the magic, the history.

First, Del is a ball of light. Royce does a phenomenal job making Del a whole and complete person who feels all of the feels and just embodies all of the emotions of a person of her age.

Second, our main secondary characters are just such great support and are fleshed out so well. Every character is full of heart and flaws and spirit (sometimes they ARE a spirit).

Third, the academy and the magic. Royce sure knows how to build a world and pull the reader into it. This academy is first full of magic but is also full of history and culture and community. And the conjure Royce introduced is very detailed and unique to other magics found in books.

And these are just three things I loved within the book; I could keep going. Fantasy readers, specifically magical school fans, are going to adore this new book (series???).

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation & Discussion Questions:

Flagged Passages: One of the triplets spoke up. “If we can’t do things the same ways they did back then, why bother learning about them?”

“Good question, Taye,” the sorcell replied. How could he tell them apart? Del wondered. “Three reasons. First, if you don’t learn the origins of magic, you will strip away our people’s influence. Our people created this magic, and we should remember that. Those who are only interested in conjure because they think it’s new or fun or cool will learn only the piece of it they like. Remember, this is an old magic born of community, and of the need to protect themselves, educate our people, and survive in a harsh world.”

“Hey, that’s the motto!” said a boy on the other side of Fino, whose name she hadn’t caught at breakfast.

“So it is, Jerome,” Sorcell Harus said. “That is why we display it so prominently. Second: We aren’t perfect. Learning ancient ways doesn’t just mean learning about our ancestors’ successes–it also means learning about their mistakes. Which will help you avoid repeating them. We all want to avoid that, don’t we?”

Murmurs of agreement from the class, including Del.

“And third, learning your history helps you learn about yourself…” (Chapter 11)

Read This If You Love: The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton, Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas, How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra, Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

Recommended For:

Make sure to visit the rest of the blog tour!

June 27 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub
June 27 Unleashing Readers @unleashreaders
June 27 Helping Kids Rise @helpingkidsrise
June 28 Charlotte’s Library @charlotteslibrary
June 28  StoryMamas @storymamas
June 29  LitCoachLou @litcoachlou
June 29  A Library Mama @librarymama
June 29  Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

**Thank you to Walden Pond Press for providing a copy for review!!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/26/23

August 23, 2023June 26, 2023 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Peaceful Me and Angry Me by Sandra V. Feder and Rahele Jomepour Bell

Friday: Student Voices: “The Issue with Banning Books” by Toby B., 8th Grader

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “What is it Like to be a Dog?” by Dr. John Bradshaw, Author of A First Guide to Dogs: Understanding Your Very Best Friend

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

It is summer which means extra reading time!!! And I haven’t updated on my reading since the end of May… so, I have a lot of books to share!

Middle Grade

The Memory Thieves (Marvellers #2) by Dhonielle Clayton: I cannot tell you much about this book without spoiling the first one, but I will tell you that Clayton definitely carried over all of the intensity and adventure from the first book but truly has brought the readers a new and fresh story that readers are going to love!
Better with Butter by Victoria Piontec: This sweet, funny, and important book is on our state 3-5 list, so Trent and I listened to it together, and we really loved it! I mean, it is about an adorable goat which leads to AWW moments and laugh out loud moments. It is important because it deals with anxiety and will be a great mirror, window, or sliding glass door (Sims-Bishop) book for those that need to feel seen or for those who may not understand anxiety.
Yusuf Azeem is not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi: I loved how the author balanced a middle school story that any one would connect with combined with a story that shows the racism that Muslim students and families face. It also teaches about the aftereffects of 9/11 that aren’t talked about. This book was engaging and heart wrenching–a book that is truly a wonderful emotional roller coaster.
The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julie Morstad: Ah, yes. A new Kate DiCamillo book, an original fairy tale at that, and it is as whimsical and magical. I definitely see this book as a read aloud and loved by her fans that loved Edward Tulane and Beatryce Prophecy.

Schnozzer & Tatertoes Take a Hike! by Rick Stromoski: This new adorable, early reader graphic novel is just a delight to read. Readers will love the relationship between the two dogs and will laugh out loud so much while reader! This book is a great ladder for fans of Narwhal and Jelly when readers are looking for a bit of a longer graphic novel but with the same silliness, a great duo, and snacks.
Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen: As a reader who this book was a window, I learned so much about both Jewish and Muscogee traditions! Also, readers who are struggling to find themselves around multiple identities or separated parents will find solace in this book as a mirror. A great read that everyone will find something in.
Travis Daventhorpe Powers Up! by Wes Molebash: The second book in this sci-fi graphic novel series is just as good as the first! Our adventure continues and the book powers up just as the title insinuates! It is full of action, our epic characters, and, of course, more adventures in the multi-verse. I really love this series and so many kid readers (like Trent!) will, too!
Bounce Back by Misako Rocks!: This is graphic novel was one of Trent’s favorite recent reads, and I can see why–it is a slice of life middle school story about remembering your passion, finding true friends in a new situation, and adapting through change. Oh, plus basketball and a talking cat!
Punch Up, Vol. 1 by Zachary Sterling: A new battle-focused manga-style graphic novel is going to be loved by so many readers. Pitch is determined to become a fighter and wants to be trained by his favorite fighter, so determined that he ran away from his home to compete in hopes of impressing–and he does! But is he making the right choice to compete with an aging fighter who doesn’t think before he acts????

Yokai Cats Vol. 1 by Pandania

Trent gave me a pile of manga to read either because 1) he loved it and wanted me to read them, or 2) they were rated teen, and he wanted me to read them to ensure that they were age appropriate for him. As of today, Trent and I have read all of these and recommend them all!

My favorites are probably Ex-Yakuza and the Kitten, Dinosaur Sanctuary, Evil Secret Society of Cats, Sue & Tai-Chan, and Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan 😻+🦖

(Click on any image to take you to the Goodreads page.)

Young Adult

The Getaway by Lamar Giles: This book is so much more intense that I had even imagined. What starts as a book that seems to be about an isolated Disney, makes a turn into the apocalypse quickly and shows the worst coming out in people. Please know that there are definitely triggering events in this book, specifically lynching, that will gut readers.
The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera: This prequel from Adam Silvera holds all of the heart from They Both Die in the End, and it answers some questions that rose up in the original book. Readers will fall in love with another two characters, once again being heartbroken when death comes calling.

Layers by Pénélope Bagieu: This graphic memoir pulls incidences straight from the author’s diary which lends itself to a wide variety of vignettes, including truly hilarious ones and very tough ones. These fifteen stories will each effect the reader in a different way, but there will definitely be readers who connect with them all.
Helck, Vol. 2 by Nanaki Nanao: This series definitely got better in the second volume. The first book was an introduction to the world and some of our characters while book 2 takes us further toward the rising action as a war wages and Helck and Vermilio find themselves on an abandoned island.
Show-Ha Shoten!, Vol. 2 by Akinari Asakura: Book 2 is even funnier than book 1 which makes me excited for the series to continue. The dynamic between the comedy duo is definitely solidifying and things are starting to fall into place. Looking forward to see where it goes!
Heartgear, Vol. 1 by Tsuyoshi Takaki: This series deserves all of the hype that it is getting. It is a post-apocalyptic nightmare where Roue may be the only human left, so her new android companion must protect her by any means. This book is just so intriguing, and I cannot wait to see where it goes!
Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Manga, Vol. 1: Book of Heartslabyul, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso: I went into this manga without any knowledge of the Twisted-Wonderland video game, but it didn’t matter as you are quickly transported into the world of Wonderland, along with the main character Yu. His appearance in this world seems to be a mistake, but it is up to him to get home which leads to action and unlikely friendships.
Orange -to you, dear one by Ichigo Takano: The newest manga in the Orange series shows the reader the new timeline that the characters would have entered when they saved Kakeru.
4*Town 4*Real: The Manga by Dirchansky: What a fun book! Want to know more about 4*Town and their story? This one is for you! It is like a companion to the movie as it is all original stories that add depth to these characters who are only introduced in the movie. Just a cute read!

All Ages Picture Books

The Dreams We Made by Lisa Bentley: Lisa Bentley has given a special book. It is first and foremost about loss and mourning. We feel all the love the girl does and all the loss as well. But underneath this tough subject, it also is about creativity and perseverance. Oh, and the found-object collage aspects of the illustrations are so inventive and take the book into its own league.
Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk, Illustrated by Charles Santoso: Trent and my nephew had the huge honor of having Josh Funk read his not-yet-released newest book to them! They are two of the luckiest kids because the story is another home run from Josh. This companion to Dear Dragon takes us back to the epistolary format between two pen pals, this time between a young human and a young unicorn; however, there is a surprise waiting at the end! Like Josh pointed out when he was reading, the illustrators talents are on full display in this book because the pen pals also send artwork back and forth–you’ll love it!
Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: The Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow: I did not know about Sister Rosetta Tharpe before reading this book, but I am so glad that isn’t true anymore (and I went and listened to some of her songs, too!). The text is very informative and musical in its own right, and the illustrations were unique, adding even more personality to the book. I am so glad this book exists so that this story is not lost.
Remember by Joy Harjo, Illustrated by Michaela Goade: Whoa. I can definitely see why Joy Harjo is the U.S. Poet Laureate. This beautiful poem takes the reader on a reflective journey, reminding us to look around at the world and “remember” our place in it. And with Goade’s illustrations, this book is a well-rounded piece of art.
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Ashley Evans: Carole Boston Weatherford is a master at the picture book biography, and this book is no exception. This picture book is a wonderful introduction to our newest Supreme Court Justice and how her determination helped her reach the highest of heights within the legal system, making it both a biography and inspirational.
Oh No, The Aunts are Here by Adam Rex, Illustrated by Lian Cho: This book is a whole mood. It definitely embodies the chaos, love, and loudness (figuratively and literally) that come with family visiting. Filled with humorous lines and colorful illustrations, this will be a fun book to read aloud.
You Need to Chill: A Story of Love and Family by Juno Dawson, Illustrated by Laura Hughes: Everybody just needs to chill. The main character’s brother isn’t missing–Bill is now Lily. This book will be wonderful for not only those with trans siblings but others around who need perspective (and the illustrations are so wonderful!).
Eggasaurus by Jennifer Wagh, Illustrated by Hallie Bateman: My nephew chose this book for me to read to him, and I am so glad he did–this is such a fun book about raising dinosaurs from egg to giant and all the shenanigans between.
The Emperor Lays an Egg by Brenda Z. Guiberson, Illustrated by Joan Paley: Another book I was asked to read, and this one is right up my alley as it is a nonfiction book about emperor penguins and their unique egg rearing.
Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham: The Prince in Pink saves the day in this one! I don’t want to say too much because part of what makes it so wonderful is going on the journey with the Princess in Black. A wonderful addition to the series!

To learn more about any of these books, click on any title/image to go to the book’s Goodreads page or check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

P.S. Thank you for all of the well wishes at my students’ competition ❤️ They placed 5th in the world at the Future Problem Solvers International Competition for the Presentation of Action Plan!

Ricki

This is my week off, and we’re taking the next two weeks off for summer vacation, so I’ll see you back in mid-July!

Kellee

Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan, Vol. 2 by Sasami Nitori

Tuesday: Blog Tour with Review and Educators’ Guide: Conjure Island by Eden Royce

Friday: Student Voices: “AI: The Flaw in Sci-Fi Books” by Derrick T., 8th Grade

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post: “What is it Like to be a Dog?” by Dr. John Bradshaw, Author of A First Guide to Dogs: Understanding Your Very Best Friend

June 25, 2023 by Kellee

“What is it Like to be a Dog?”

My middle-schooler grandkids love their superheroes. Posters of their favorites adorn their bedroom walls, their T-shirts feature costumed crusaders extolling their superpowers. Yet few parents realize that the family dog has his or her own set of superpowers, not so flashy as those of their two-legged fictional counterparts, but, in their own way, just as enthralling. If only more people would take the time to wonder, “what is it like to be a dog?” (or, indeed, any other animal).

Imaginary worlds are the very stuff of childhood, and nowadays we have the knowledge to stretch children’s imaginations to include the worlds of animals as well as humans and their ilk. Over the past hundred years or so, science has revealed just how many differences there are between reality as we know it, and the many parallel but distinctive realities inhabited by other animals. The family dog is probably the most accessible example, but any animal could serve, whether the family cat, a small furry, or even a bird perched on a wire outside an apartment window. Any one of these could lead to valuable insights into how the animals around us live in their own worlds.

Dogs make great subjects for such flights of fancy, and not only because they’re so familiar to us. Their version of the family home overlaps with ours a lot – otherwise we’d find them difficult to live with, and vice versa – but there are also many intriguing differences that I reveal in my book for middle-graders, “A First Guide To Dogs”. Dogs can hear high-pitched sounds that we can’t, they’re red-green color-blind and permanently long-sighted, their sense of smell is thousands of times better than ours, and they have a whole other “nose” that sits between their actual nose and the roof of their mouths, that helps them to decode – and perhaps store – the individual smells of other dogs. Indeed, dogs’ social lives revolve around these smells, hence the care with which they choose a place to pee, and their obsession with sniffing underneath each other’s tails.

It’s not only the physical world that must seem different to a dog. Their minds work differently too, even though their brains are laid out in a similar way to ours. Scientists are still arguing about whether dogs are aware of themselves to the same extent that we are (probably not so much), but we are now sure that their sense of time is different to ours. Dogs live much more in the here-and-now than we do, having only a limited perception of the past and even less of a grasp of the future. This has profound implications for the way they interpret our actions. Most pertinently, they seem unable to understand that whenever we leave the home, they should expect us to return. Left home alone, many dogs fear they have been abandoned for good, raising their stress levels sky-high. A simple training regime can overcome this, but too few owners understand the necessity.

Dogs’ lives can also provide great lessons for thinking about what “well-being” really means. Hold on, surely everyone loves their dog, right? But that’s no guarantee that dogs will always get the happiness they deserve. The problems come when dogs get treated as if they were just little people, not animals with their own priorities. How would middle-schoolers feel if their parents ripped their screens out of their hands every time they saw a message from a friend? Yet that’s exactly what dogs must experience when they’re yanked away from every interesting smell by the leash tightening around their neck.

Dogs – and other animals – can provide a springboard for amazing journeys into other worlds, now that science has given us so much insight into their minds and how they interpret their surroundings. Thinking about dogs, especially, can give us a close-to-home stimulus for the imagination, whether the focus of the class is science, or ethics, even creative writing.

Published June 13th, 2023 by Penguin Workshop

About the Book: Featuring fun illustrations (by Clare Elsom) and easy how-tos from animal expert Dr. John Bradshaw!

Uncovering the secret lives of pets, Dr. John Bradshaw invites young readers to learn more about their closest companions: their dogs! Told from the point of view of Rusty the Terrier, this lively, illustrated book gives kids a front-seat view to the everyday lives of dogs, sharing lessons and growing children into the best pet owners they can be.

★ “Perceptive and engaging—essential reading for anyone seeking greater understanding of their four-legged best friends.” — Kirkus, starred review

About the Author: John Bradshaw is the director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in the U.K. He has studied the behavior of domestic cats and dogs for more than 25 years.

Thank you, John, for this fun look into the minds of dogs!

Student Voices: “The Issue with Banning Books” by Toby B., 8th Grade

June 23, 2023June 23, 2023 by Kellee

“The Issue with Banning Books” by Toby Briggs, 2022-23 8th Grader

Banning books is an argument that has been going on for years and years. Over two thousand years actually. This argument is an argument on whether certain books are suitable for children. Books with LGBTQ+ representation, magic, racism, and slurs are typically the victim of this act. Some of these books are The Hate You Give (by Angie Thomas),Melissa (by Alex Gino), Gender queer: a memoir (by Maia Kobabe), Maus (by Art Spigelman), and The Diary of Anne Frank. This is only a small example of banned books today in America. The reason books are banned and challenged is to limit thinking and to censor beliefs that other people do not support. Books help children develop empathy and to open themselves up to people, places, cultures, and world views. Banning these books could narrow down how these kids think and respect other people.The act of banning books is the top example of American censorship. People fear that the contents of a book would sway a child to follow suit in violent acts or sexual activities. This act is violating first amendment rights as an American citizen to have free speech.

Reading is supposed to teach and inspire people as well as encouraging to think about what is around you. With the recent acts of trying to ban these books it is clear that state officials want to eradicate thinking that is different from their own beliefs. They want to hide away books that can encourage people to question everything around them or books that encourage people to be themselves. They want to eradicate a generation of thinkers and supportive people. They want to eradicate anything that is outside of what they deem the correct way.

The category with the highest percentage of books banned are novels. While the lowest percentage is textbooks. No matter what type of category a book fits in to it is not free from being banned. 4.28% of religious texts are banned. That is more than poetry books are manuals. No matter what kind of book type it is if it does not fit in the agenda of state officials it is banned. 41% of books with LGBTQ+ representation are banned. 40% of books with a person of color being the main character are banned.

The main argument that pro book banning bring up when talking about banned books is it’s for the children. We are doing this to protect the welfare of children. Banning books about people different from a child is not protecting children it is censoring amazing books with representation on minorities, past occurrences of our history, and books that have racist ideas or violent actions. I am not saying a 5 year old should read a young adult book but i am saying books with people of color and people apart of the LGBTQ+ need to be represented to young children so that it can help teach them important lesson on people that are different from them and how to respect those people. A study that was done in 2014 by Christopher J. Fergason shows how reading banned books can be good for kids. People believe that if a kid that is exposed to a book with violent or sexual content that a kid would try something along those lines. However that is not always the case. Reading banned books can increase they’re awareness of civic awareness and engagement. The study by Fergason shows this and how reading can provide ethical development in children.

I believe every parent has a right to not let they’re child read a book they believe is unsuitable for their age. However, I do not believe that people should ban books just because you don’t find it appropriate. Most of the books on the banned books list are books people believe are unsuitable for children. Some of those books have amazing messages and representation for children. But they are banned because people believe kids shouldn’t read them. Books with people like me living their truth are banned because of someone else’s opinions. Books with minorities who just want to be represented being stripped of that right.

I am a young reader who has been reading since kindergarten. I have learned most of what i know from the books I have read. I am also a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I have read books upon books with representation of people and kids who are like me and there is nothing better than reading a book that makes you feel like you can belong. Books that make you feel like your any other kid. However most of these books are banned due to pro book banning. I want people to be able to hear my voice, to hear what I have to say about banning books with representation on people like me. The act of banning books is stripping away representation of people like me and other minorities from books. People need to know what people have gone through but also who they are now. Books have made me feel accepted when I believe no one else would accept me. Books are my escape from everything that is wrong with the world. Please don’t ban books with representation we need those books.

Banning books has no outcome other than to stop a generation from growing up to be thinkers and being kind. Banning books is hiding away multiple generations of books with messages of our history as well as messages of being kind and curious. The act of banning books does not help anyone other than the people who want to ban them. It helps no one but themselves. We need representation in books and banning those books aren’t going to help. This is why I believe there is a massive issue with banning books. Nothing good comes from it.

Sources:

Thank you so much to Toby for sharing their voice today and their outlook on the banning of books.

Peaceful Me and Angry Me by Sandra V. Feder, Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

June 20, 2023 by Kellee

Peaceful Me & Angry Me
Author: Sandra V. Feder
Illustrator: Rahele Jomepour Bell
Published May 2nd, 2023 & May 1st, 2022 by Groundwood Books

Peaceful Me Summary: A young child tells us about the different times when he feels peaceful, as well as how he copes when he needs to find a peaceful state again.

Acclaimed picture-book creators Sandra V. Feder and Rahele Jomepour Bell have teamed up once again to create a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated exploration of peacefulness.

“I like feeling peaceful,” the young narrator tells us, then describes the times when he is filled with this emotion. When he is playing with a friend, he feels “free peaceful”; when he is having family dinner, “yummy peaceful”; when he is outside gazing up at the sky, “fluffy clouds peaceful”. But, of course, he doesn’t always feel peaceful, and we hear about his strategies for coping during those times, such as taking deep breaths, imagining his favorite things, and finding a quiet refuge or a hug.

Peaceful Me is the perfect companion to Angry Me — together, they encourage readers to let anger come and go, while inviting peace to come and stay.

Angry Me Summary: A young child tells us what makes her angry and how she tries to let the anger come and go. An artful starting point for conversations about strong feelings.

“I get angry,” says a little girl, looking fiercely in the mirror. Sometimes she gets angry when someone is mean and tries to take her toy away, when it feels unfair that there’s not enough time to go swimming, when she’s tired and just wants to go home, or when the kids at school leave her out, hurting her feelings.

When she’s angry, she tries to remember to use her words — even though that doesn’t always work. Sometimes she can’t find the right words, or the words don’t come out the way she intends. But sometimes words do help, and when her anger melts away a new feeling can blossom.

Sandra Feder’s cleverly constructed text presents different situations in which a child might feel angry, creating a nuanced look at anger and its many underlying emotions. Rahele Jomepour Bell’s illustrations show a loveable, angry little girl, brimming with personality, who learns how to express herself as she moves through her feelings.

Praise for Angry Me:

“A valuable tool for teaching children the important skill of recognizing and naming feelings.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A fresh addition to teeming ‘anger management’ shelves.” —Booklist

“Artfully captures the nuances of anger. STARRED REVIEW” —Shelf Awareness

“An effective springboard for discussing a topic that may be hard for young children to verbalize.” —School Library Connection

About the Creators:

SANDRA V. FEDER is the author of three acclaimed picture books: Angry Me, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell; Bitter and Sweet, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker, a PJ Library selection; and The Moon Inside, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro, which has been translated into multiple languages. She has also written the Daisy series of early chapter books, illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Sandra lives in California.

RAHELE JOMEPOUR BELL’s charming illustrations have appeared in Angry Me by Sandra V. Feder, The Treasure Box by Dave J. Keane and Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali (Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year), among others. She has also published seven picture books in Iran and has received a number of awards and honors for her work.

Review: These are such important books! Children become better adults when they can learn to name and deal with the actual feelings they are feeling, and these texts start this process. These books would be perfect to use at the beginning of the year to talk about emotional regulation and how conflicts will be resolved in the classroom. I also think that parents will benefit from these texts to discussion emotions, as will therapists and counselors. They are so multifaceted!

What made these books even more special were the way that the text does one purpose and then the illustrations add a whole other element to the book. I would love to see these books used not only with a social emotional learning purpose, but also use the illustrations to tie in narrative and creative writing elements. Students can take what they learn in the illustrations and write a whole other story!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation (from the publisher):

Key Text Features:
- explanation
- illustrations
- vignettes
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Discussion Questions:

When do you feel peaceful? Angry?
What is your favorite time you feel peaceful?
How do you deal with feeling angry? What can you do to turn from angry to peaceful?
Is it better to talk about your feelings or hold them in?
How does talking about your feelings help you process?
How do the illustrations of Peaceful Me and Angry Me help you with understanding the book better? How do they support the message of the book(s)?
What is the main theme of Peaceful Me? Angry Me?

Flagged Passages:

Peaceful Me

Angry Me

Read This If You Love: Jory John’s & Pete Oswald’s Food Group Books; Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby, Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo; Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza, Illustrated by Sophie Miller; I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano & Molly Idle, Illustrated by Juana Martinez Neal; In the Blue by Erin Hourigan; Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic, Illustrated by Rebecca Syracus

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Nicole Banholzer PR for providing copies for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/19/23

June 19, 2023June 19, 2023 by Ricki

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for A Match Made in Mehendi by Nandini Bajpai

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Notice What You Feel” by Christie Matheson, Author of Select

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

Hi! It is my week off. To learn more about what I’ve been reading, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Hi, all! I am running a teachers of color program for the next two weeks, so I will return with more book recommendations in two weeks!

Tuesday: Peaceful Me and Angry Me by Sandra V. Feder and Rahele Jomepour Bell

Friday: Student Voices: “The Issue with Banning Books” from Toby B., 8th Grader

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “What is it Like to be a Dog?” by Dr. John Bradshaw, Author of A First Guide to Dogs: Understanding Your Very Best Friend

and

Author Guest Post: “Notice What You Feel” by Christie Matheson, Author of Select

June 18, 2023 by Kellee

“Notice What You Feel”

There’s a short scene in my book Select during which the main character, Alex, notices a woman across a crowded city street running to catch a bus. She’s carrying heavy bags and moving as fast as she can. A man waiting at the bus stop sees her, and Alex assumes he will alert the bus driver so the bus can wait a few seconds for her to get on. But the man doesn’t do that, and the bus speeds away, leaving the woman alone and distressed on the sidewalk.

Alex feels sad and frustrated that she couldn’t do anything to help—and that the man chose not to help when he could have. She pays attention to her feelings, and thinks about the people in this world who choose to help when they can, and those who choose not to help.

This scene was inspired by reality. Not too long before I wrote that scene, I saw this exact thing happen from a distance. It made my heart hurt for the woman who was left on the sidewalk with her heavy bags. I wished I could have done something to help. And as soon as I had the chance, I wrote about it quickly in my notebook and later wrote the scene. Is it critical to the plot of the book? No, not really. Does it help us understand how Alex sees people and the world? I hope so.

Every day, we will witness and experience things that make us feel something. It might be sadness, or a glimmer of joy, or full-blown excitement, or a sense of unexpected calm. It might happen while we are out and about, or at home, or while reading. When we are struck by noticeable feelings, I think it’s important that we take the time to notice them. Pay attention to them. Wonder about them. (What was it that caused the feeling? Why?) Feel them fully. And maybe write about them.

Noticing our feelings and what sparks them can help us be more present and aware of what’s happening in the world, and possibly deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

It can also help us to think more clearly about books. After reading a chapter or a whole book, we can ask ourselves: Which scenes made me feel something? What did they make me feel? Why? Do I want to read more books that make me feel this way?

And finally, if you write down the tiny details of something you saw or experienced, and how it made you feel, that just might go into a book you write!

Published May 9th, 2023 by Random House Books for Young Readers

About the Book: One girl and her soccer team take a stand against the bullies who push them too far in this brave, inspiring novel that celebrates girl power and the true spirit of sports. Perfect for readers who love The Crossover and Fighting Words.

“A tale of terrific girl power and athleticism.” —Kirkus Reviews

Twelve-year-old Alex loves playing soccer, and she’s good at it, too. Very good. When her skills land her a free ride to play for Select, an elite soccer club, it feels like a huge opportunity. Joining Select could be the key to a college scholarship and a bright future—one that Alex’s family can’t promise her.

But as the team gets better and better, her new coach pushes the players harder and harder, until soccer starts to feel more like punishment than fun. And then there comes a point where enough is enough, and Alex and her teammates must take a stand to find a better way to make their soccer dreams come true.

Powerful and inspiring, Select explores the important difference between positive and negative coaching and celebrates the true spirit of sports.

About the Author: Christie Matheson is the author of Shelter and is also the author-illustrator of many picture books, including Tap the Magic Tree, Touch the Brightest Star, and Bird Watch. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

Thank you, Christie, for this wonderful writing tip!